BMC Infectious Diseases - Latest articlesThe latest articles from BMC Infectious Diseases (ISSN 1471-2334) published by BioMed CentralAnalysis of risk factors for T. brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness within villages in south-east Uganda- June 30, 2008 Background Sleeping sickness (HAT) caused by T.b. rhodesiense is a major veterinary and human public health problem in Uganda. Previous studies have investigated spatial risk factors for T.b. rhodesiense at large geographic scales, but none have properly investigated such risk factors at small scales, i.e. within affected villages. In the present work, we use a case-control methodology to analyse both behavioural and spatial risk factors for HAT in an endemic area. Methods The present study...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/88 Multiplex cytokine profile from dengue patients: MIP-1beta and IFN-gamma as predictive factors for severity- June 25, 2008 Background: Dengue virus pathogenesis is not yet fully understood and the identification of patients at high risk for developing severe disease forms is still a great challenge in dengue patient care. During the present study, we evaluated prospectively the potential of cytokines present in plasma from patients with dengue in stratifying disease severity. Methods: Seventeen-cytokine multiplex fluorescent microbead immunoassay was used for the simultaneous detection in 59 dengue patients. GLM...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/86 Induction of beta Defensin 2 by NTHi requires TLR2 Mediated MyD88 and IRAK-TRAF6-p38MAPK Signaling Pathway in Human Middle Ear Epithelial Cells- June 25, 2008 Background: All mucosal epithelia, including those of the tubotympanium, are secreting a variety of antimicrobial innate immune molecules (AIIMs). In our previous study, we showed the bactericidalbacteriostatic functions of AIIMs against various otitis media pathogens. Among the AIIMs, human beta-defensin 2 is the most potent molecule and is inducible by exposure to inflammatory stimuli such as bacterial components or proinflammatory cytokines. Even though the beta-defensin 2 is an important...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/87 Human Papillomavirus type distribution in invasive cervical cancer in Uganda- June 24, 2008 Background: We conducted a study aiming to describe Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type distribution in invasive cervical carcinoma in Uganda. Methods: 191 archival cervical carcinoma samples diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Makerere University in Kampala between 1968 and 1992 were analysed using a sensitive PCR-Reverse Hybridization Line Probe Assay. Results: Out of the 186 cases of confirmed invasive cervical cancer in the study paraffin block, 114 were positive for HPV DNA. Specific...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/85 Brain injury-associated biomarkers of TGF-beta1, S100B, GFAP, NF-L, tTG, AbetaPP, and tau were concomitantly enhanced and the UPS was impaired during- June 24, 2008 Background: Because the outcomes and sequelae after different types of brain injury (BI) are variable and difficult to predict, investigations on whether enhanced expressions of BI-associated biomarkers (BIABs), including transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-1), S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NF-L), tissue transglutaminases (tTGs), -amyloid precursor proteins (APP), and tau are present as well as whether impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS).http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/84 Hepatitis C virus prevalence and genetic diversity among pregnant women in Gabon, central Africa- June 17, 2008 Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The prevalence and genetic diversity of HCV in pregnant women in Gabon, central Africa, is not known. We therefore evaluated the prevalence and the circulating genotypes of HCV in a large population cohort of pregnant women. Methods: Blood samples (947) were collected from pregnant women in the five main cities of the country. The prevalence was evaluated by two...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/82 An individual-based network model to evaluate interventions for controlling pneumococcal transmission- June 17, 2008 Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but also a common colonizer of the upper respiratory tract. The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistant pneumococcal strains has threatened effective therapy. The long-term effects of measures aiming to limit pneumococcal spread are poorly understood. Computational modeling makes it possible to conduct virtual experiments that are impractical to perform in real life and thereby allows a more full...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/83 Molecular epidemiology of pneumococci obtained from Gambian children aged 229 months with invasive pneumococcal disease during a trial of a 9-valent p- June 11, 2008 Background: The study describes the molecular epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing invasive disease in Gambian children Methods: One hundred and thirty-two S. pneumoniae isolates were recovered from children aged 229 months during the course of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine trial conducted in The Gambia of which 131 were characterized by serotyping, antibiotic susceptibility, BOX-PCR and MLST. Results: Twenty-nine different serotypes were identified; serotypes 14, 19A, 12F, 5,...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/81 Emergence of Carbapenem resistant Gram negative and vancomycin resistant Gram positive organisms in bacteremic isolates of febrile neutropenic patient- June 9, 2008 Background: This study was conducted to evaluate drug resistance amongst bacteremic isolates of febrile neutropenic patients with particular emphasis on emergence of carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus species. Methods: A descriptive study was performed by reviewing the blood culture reports from febrile neutropenic patients during the two study periods i.e., 199900 and 200106. Blood cultures were performed using BACTEC 9240 automated system....http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/80 Acinetobacter baumannii in Intensive Care Unit: a Novel System to Study Clonal Relationship Among the Isolates.- June 8, 2008 Background: The nosocomial infections surveillance system must be strongly effective especially in highly critic areas, such as Intensive Care Units (ICU). These areas are frequently an epidemiological epicentre for transmission of multi-resistant pathogens, like Acinetobacter baumannii. As an epidemic outbreak occurs it is very important to confirm or exclude the genetic relationship among the isolates in a short time. There are several molecular typing systems used with this aim. The...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/8/79 |